vancouverconventioncentre.com

GREEN MEETINGS

Looking to go green? By choosing the world’s first LEED® Platinum convention centre, you will have an environmentally-friendly meeting. What’s more, we’d love to work with you to take your event to an even ‘greener’ level. From the design of our facility, the use of the latest green technologies to the adoption of green operating practices, the Vancouver Convention Centre is committed to being as environmentally sustainable as possible. We want to help you take full advantage of our green facilities and programs.

We recycle an average of 180,000 kilograms of materials annually, nearly half of the total volume of waste generated. This includes batteries, lighting ballasts, wood, organics, metal, glass, plastic and much more.

We recycle approximately 135 to 180 kilograms of organic waste per week.

Apart from measuring our overall recycling volumes, we would be pleased to discuss how you can utilize a program to measure recycling from your event or to have a zero-waste or zero-carbon event. In fact, Vancouver’s first audited zero-waste event was held here at the convention centre.

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REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

We operate a ‘scratch’ kitchen using primarily fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. Promoting and using locally-grown products means less energy consumption for transporting products to our door.

We avoid prepackaged canned goods, utilize cutlery, china, glass and cloth napkins, and serve nearly all condiments in bulk or reusable containers.

We encourage our purveyors to deliver their goods in reusable containers and work with suppliers with a strong commitment to the environment.

Our ‘Happy Earth’ menus feature certified organic and free-range options.

Green SealTM and EcoLogoTM approved cleaning products are used facility-wide, including in the kitchen and food service areas.

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FOOD-FRIENDLY

The West building has received LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification. We are the first convention centre in the world to earn the highest LEED® rating.

Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)’s 2010 Environmental Leadership Award.

‘Go Green’ certificate from the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) for environmental best practices.

A Power Smart Convention Centre by BC Hydro’s Power Smart Partner in Business Program after converting to state-of-the-art energy-efficient lighting, HVAC and energy control systems.

Please visit our website at www.vancouverconventioncentre.com to view our Sustainable Event Guidelines.

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AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Energy consumption is measured and monitored throughout the facility with carbon emissions calculated quarterly. At your request in advance, we can also take steps to evaluate the energy consumption for your event.

Our seawater heating and cooling system takes advantage of the adjacent seawater to produce cooling for the building during warmer months and heating in cooler months.

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The West building’s six-acre living roof – the largest in Canada and the largest non-industrial living roof in North America – features more than 400,000 indigenous plant and grasses. Our unique roof is designed to act as an insulator, reducing heat gains in the summer and heat losses in the winter.

A restored marine habitat is built into the foundation of the West building. Water quality in the area has improved dramatically, with the growth of a large variety of sea life.

Our sophisticated black water treatment plant provides toilet flushing water and rooftop irrigationduring warmer weather. We have successfully reduced potable water use by 72.6%. Natural light and ventilation are maximized throughout the facility.

Local BC wood products from sustainably-managed forests are used throughout the facility.

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The roof is also home to four beehives with European honey bees. The bees help pollinate the plants and grasses on the living roof while supplying honey for our ‘scratch’ kitchen.

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GREEN BY DESIGN